Rating: 
Summary: Well meaning, I think, but misguided
Review: I think Gibson was well-meaning, but a big problem with his movie and book is that he presents misguided interpretation, speculation and opinion as truth. But a MUCH bigger problem is that it's based on the doctrine and dogma of the Nicene Creed, fabricated in the 4th Century to elevate the status of the Christ and Christianity for the then-new "Holy Roman Empire." And, by the way, that doctrine was used to justify many centuries of theocratic imperialism, oppression and cruelty we now call the Dark Ages. The biggest problem is that the same doctrine is used now to justify the bigotry of the Religious Right, which claims that "only by accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior can you receive salvation," because "Jesus died for the sins of humanity." Even worse, the Religious Right uses it to claim that everyone must agree and march in lock step with them or else be damned to eternal hell. And by making this movie and book Mel Gibson has now aligned himself with the Religious Right. The thing is, it's really a question of why Jesus did what he did, and it WAS NOT to justify religious bigots and hypocrites who claim only they know The Way and anyone who disagrees is in league with Satan. And it WAS NOT to create a religion for imperialists who seek worldly wealth and power and live by the sword (gun and bomb). The real truth is that Jesus allowed himself to be arrested knowing he would face death to show us a perfect example of the loving and forgiving pacifist and martyr, who would rather judge not, resist not evil, love his enemies, and turn the other cheek. THAT is real Christian doctrine. In contrast with that, the doctrine about Jesus "dying for our sins" and being "the only source of salvation" makes little sense, if you really think about it. After all, our sins are certainly our own, and we certainly live with the consequences of our sins. And our salvation is in asking for forgiveness from God, and achieving the feeling of being forgiven by God. Granted, most Christians hold the Nicene Creed as true to the gospels. But it now raises many questions: Are the gospels as we now know them true to the actual teachings of Jesus? Were they embellished and redesigned by the writers of the gospels when the oral tradition was finally written down between 40 and 70 years after Jesus died? Were certain things added to the gospels in the 4th Century to justify and suit the purposes of the "Christian" emperor Constantine who lived by the sword and ruled the then-new "Holy Roman Empire?" Is it not in fact a man-made doctrine designed to justify the building of a theocratic empire that holds all other religions as false? I believe in the Golden Rule of Jesus, which is the true core principle of Christianity. I do not believe he ever said or implied in any way that "unless you believe in me you will suffer eternal damnation in hell." I think that is the doctrine of hypocritical men that Jesus warned us about. And the idea that only by professing belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior can you receive salvation is a big part of that false doctrine. I learned that from the messenger for the Spirit of truth that Jesus said would come, and in my heart I know it is true.
Rating: 
Summary: MELS MESS
Review: Mels movie and book are clear abominations with undertones of racism, hatred, and religious superiority. Neither the book nor the movie describe the events of the Bible as they are actually written. This is a diservice to Christians, and especially Jews, everywhere. I highly recommend not wasting your money, time, and good sense on Mels Mess.
Rating: 
Summary: REVIEW ON MOVIE NOT BOOK
Review: THIS MOVIE IS THE BEST MOVIE ABOUT JESUS THAT I HAVE EVER GONE TO. THE THINGS HE WENT THRU FOR ARE SINS IS HARD TO BELIEVE. BUT HE DID IT TO FREE US FROM SIN, ONLY WITH SUPERNATIONAL HELP COULD HE HAVED SURVIVED. MEL GIBSON THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS MOVIE. YOU DID GOOD!!!(GREAT THAT IS) TO ALL PEOPLE GO AND SEE THE MOVIE AND ENJOY AND CRY AT THE SAME TIME BEAUSE ARE SINS ARE FORGIVEN. AGAIN THANK YOU MEL GIBSON PLEASE KEEP THE FAITH!!!
Rating:
Summary: Alternative to Movie, and Keepsake of Movie
Review:
I do not normally buy what I think of as "coffee table" books, but something moved me to buy this, despite my intent to see the movie, and I am glad I did. My 14-year old found it absorbing, and I myself was glad to have such an elegant piece of work, with the scripture text, available for review in a time and place of my choosing, in quiet.
The movie is very disturbing and for many will be shocking in the extreme. The book is a "soft" alternative to the movie, more likely to provoke thought without disturbing, but by no means a substitute for full immersion in the overwhelming power of the movie. The book is also a fanstastic keepsake. I look forward to the release of the video, which I will surely buy, for this movie is likely to replace all other movies that in the past have been the staple of the Easter broadcast schedule. One note of concern: I am sick and tired of having "anti-semitic" accusations hurled by defenders of Jewish sanctity. "Anti-semitic" has become a censorship phrase. I myself was disinvited from National Public Radio (NPR) in Chicago because I spoke in a balanced and fair fashion about the Palestinian casualities that the US media never covers, and the need to both guarantee a Palestinian state alongside a Jewish state, and the need to provide US foreign aid to both sides equally while we build two new generations from kindergarten up, generations that know how to live in peace from birth. Neither the movie nor the book merit this Stalinist-like censorship, and I hope that non-Catholics will keep in open mind and not be scared away--as the Jews intend--from seeing the movie or buying the book. [I was most moved when Arab callers made the point that I was the first person on NPR Chicago to have been fair and balanced.] To end on a fair and balanced note: the Catholic Church is guilty of great crimes--the crusades against Islam, the murder of millions of women unfairly cursed as witches, the Inquisition, the abuse of hundreds of thousands of children, and finally, aid to the Nazis during the Holocaust and in the aftermath of the war as some escaped through Church auspices. We would be fortunate indeed if there were movies and books that explored these historical aspects of Catholism, as well as the growing body of literature on Jesus having been married and having had children whose offspring survive today. Open mindedness, not censorship, is the path to understanding. This applies to Catholics as well as Jews and others of any faith.
Rating:
Summary: "unforgetting"
Review: Mel Gibson states in his lovely forward to this book that the "word which best defines" what guided him, as well as others involved in the production of this brilliant film, was "aletheia", Greek for what would translate as "unforgetting". With this book we can remember this magnificent film, and the impact it has had on our lives. The outline of the film, portions of the script (by Gibson and Benedict Fitzgerald), as well as the Biblical references to each scene, are alongside still photographs taken during the filming by Ken Duncan and Philippe Antonello.
The marvel of this book is that one can examine at leisure the extraordinary work that went into the production design by Francesco Frigeri, the set decoration by Carlo Gervasi...take note of the marvelous oil lamp "tree" on pg. 43, that is in the governor's quarters...and the amazing costume design by Maurizio Millenotti, which I can only assume must have had hand-loomed cloth made especially for them. Jim Caviezel is in my opinion the most perfect depiction of Jesus on film, physically strong enough to be a first century carpenter, and with a face that reminds me of Masaccio's Lord.
The sublime photographs for me are the Jesus on pg. 25, in a flashback scene while at home with Mary working on a table; Mary, in an outstanding portrayal by Romanian actress Maia Morgenstern, with her face to the floor, as she senses Jesus below in an underground cell on pg. 38; Mary Magdalene, beautiful in every way as played by Monica Bellucci on pg. 73; and most astounding, on pg. 114, His feet. Nailed and red with blood, this photograph moves me to tears, a work of astonishing art as well as faith.
The final six pages contain photos from the production. Solidly constructed with good quality paper and a semi-gloss finish, this is an excellent book, for unforgetting.
Rating:
Summary: Profound, stunningly spiritual movie and book
Review: See the movie and buy this book! The book's photos are beautifully rendered and the text is apt and most readable. It's wellmade and should become a cherished family heirloom. The book also could be viewed by younger children, though the movie should not be. The movie strucks to the core of person and I doubt anyone who sees it will ever view a crucifix or cross in the same way. Gibson makes it seem as if you are witnessing and even part of the crowd -- alternatingly watching in horror and behaving horribly to the Christ.
This movie has a power to it that can help to guide people to a (better) relationship with the Lord. Perhaps we are in the midst of a new Great Awakening, one which we sorely need.
--- Oremus
Rating:
Summary: PHENOMENAL
Review: One of the greatest movies ever produced and the book is just as good! Don't let "Anti-Semitic" accusers dissuade you from seeing the movie and reading this book. It just may be these same accusers are "Anti-Christian". They accuse Gibson of having bias and being "Anti-Semitic" when, Oh, I forgot ,,,,,,,,they're perfect people who have no bias. Yeah right. Don't let ridiculously oversensitive people accuse you or this movie. They had their minds made up WELL before they saw this movie. See the movie and buy the book! Ignore them.
Rating:
Summary: Correct and Accurate
Review: I found the book correct and accurate with my readings of the gospels. They report that Jesus said he is the way, truth,
and life and only through him can we know God. That is what the Gospels say. Gibson isn't bias because he followed the books accurately.
Rating:
Summary: Biased & Untrue
Review: The book is not much different than the movie. It is a shame that Mel Gibson wastes his talent on presenting Catholic delusions from anti-semitic nuns as Truth. It is equally a shame that the best part of the Hebrew/Jewish teachings are left out to give more attention to the false idea of "collective guilt" no matter what is said about who is guilty. The story is written from a Catholic perspective and in that respect it is biased no matter how you look at it. In addition, alleged events that are recorded only in one gospel and not any of the others (why don't the stories match, did they all witness the same event?) are presented as the whole truth. If the movie was meant to bring more attention to the beauty of Christianity, I think it failed miserably. This movie will only satisfy the bloodthirsty who believe a human sacrifice complete with gory Roman bloodfest is the only method of salvation. The book leaves much to be desired if you have an open mind and a loving heart.
Rating: 
Summary: not antisemetic...not roman biased
Review: In a previous review: "There are anti-Semitic implications because Gibson depicts Jewish leaders and Jewish crowd members as grotesque and monstrous throughout the whole movie, whereas the Romans are not shown as such. Why?" Obviously they missed the part with the Romans whipping Jesus over and over and over again, laughing and joking while tearing the flesh... whipping him while he was trying to carry his cross... how could you say that "the Romans are not shown as such."? I think Gibson did a fair job in showing both the followers and sympethetic Jews, and also the "angry mob", as well as the sympethetic Romans and the hateful ones.
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